Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Thaddeus Nauden of Waterport removed his hat for the Pledge of Allegiance during a Sept. 11 memorial observance this evening at the Courthouse Square.

Many local firefighters and law enforcement officers attended the service. They are standing near the Sept. 11 monument by the flag pole.

About 3,000 people were killed during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks including 343 firefighters, 60 law enforcement officers, and eight EMTs.

The Honor Guard does a 21-gun salute at the service today.

Scott Schmidt speaks in front of the 9/11 monument which shows an outline of the World Trade Center towers.

Scott Schmidt, the Orleans County chief coroner, served as keynote speaker for the service. Schmidt is a member of the U.S. Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team and deployed to New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. He spent 20 days in NYC at the Twin Towers scene.

Schmidt recounted a timeline form that day. At 8:46 a.m., the North Tower was struck. At 9:03, a plane hit the South Tower. At 9:37, the Pentagon was struck. At 9:59 p.m., the South Tower fell. At 10:07 a.m., Flight 93 crashed in rural Shanksville, Pa. At 10:28 a.m., the North Tower collapsed.

Schmidt assisted in the recovery, removal and identification of the dead along with the office of the chief medical examiner’

Besides the nearly 3,000 killed that day, 6,969 U.S. military personnel have died in Global War on Terror, and 2,100 people have died as a result of illness post-Sept. 11, Schmidt shared.

There was community remembrance a few days after the 9/11 attacks, and more than 2,500 attended the event, filling East State Street in front of the Courthouse.

Schmidt recalled seeing photos people sent him from Orleans County, with American flags on display everywhere.

“Those are the actions of a unified people and of a country that supports our right to be a free nation,” Schmidt said.

The nation won’t forget the first responders who charged into the buildings, and the many others who responded to help in the days and weeks that followed.

“We won’t forget the countless volunteers who cared for the injured, the dying, the dead, and the responders, as well as caring for each other,” Schmidt said. “We won’t forget the strength of America and of Americans.”

Don Snyder, a chaplain with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, gave the opening and closing prayer. He thanked God for first responders who put their own lives in peril to help others.

He urged community members to consider volunteering with their fire departments.

Jim Hollinger of Albion plays Taps near the end of the service. He is a member of the Marine Corps League.

A resident salutes while Taps is played during the memorial service.

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File photo by Tom Rivers: Local veterans were part of the memorial ceremony on Sept. 11, 2015 outside the Orleans County Courthouse by the 9-11 memorial.

ALBION – There will be a Sept. 11 memorial observance at 6 p.m. on Wednesday by the 9-11 monument near the Orleans County Courthouse.

The service is being put together by Scott Schmidt, the Orleans County chief coroner, and Dale Banker, the Emergency Management Office director for the county. They stepped up to plan the service when none was scheduled for the 18^th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.

Schmidt is a member of the U.S. Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team. He left for New York City on Sept. 11, 2001 to help collect and identify remains. He was there for 20 days, interviewing family members and helping to carefully catalog human remains.

The service on Wednesday includes an opening prayer by Don Snyder, chaplain for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.

Banker will also speak about the community’s appreciation for first responders, while Schmidt gives the memorial address, sharing some of his experiences in New York City after the World Trade Center towers were toppled.

The Honor Guard also is expected to be at the service.

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Photos courtesy of Mindy Warne of MAWS Photography

WATERPORT – This weekend the Albion Class of 1969 celebrated 50 years since graduation.  Friday was a great evening, courtesy of Joe & Debbie Martillotta, with music by Mike McCauley.  On Saturday we had a tour of the school graciously led by Superintendent Michael Bonnewell, followed by an evening at the St. Mary’s Archer’s Club in Waterport.

Sitting from left: Ross Thompson, Rita (Long) Carlton, Bonnie (Hudson) Bowman, Davette (Pawlaczyk) Sanborn, Marcia (Piatek) Goff, Mark Chamberlain (teacher), Hugh Dudley (teacher), Dave Ragusa (teacher/coach), Patricia (Kirby) Macey, Darlene Benton, Sherry (Peters) Bernreuther, Neal Muscarella and  Kim (Eddy) Remley.

Standing from left: Mona Fitzwater, Jeanette Riley, Karen (Furmanski) Lawrence, Larry Williams, Judy Ward, Linda (Williams) Kabelac, Sue (Davis) Arnesen, Terry Schmackpfeffer, Brenda (Brown) Mufford, Pam (Kast) Dovidio,  Jim Theodorakos, Sharon (Chattin) Dent, John Leddon, Jeanne (Scharping) Nenni, Joanne Miceli, Jesse Babcock, Susan (Nenni) Ernst, William Wittman, Kevin Christy, Dianne (Stackwick) Eddy, Linda (Andrews) Christopher, Dana Gavenda, Debbie (Snowdon) Cook, Richard Cook, John Knight, Cynthia Roberts, Frank Sidari, Joe Martillotta, Mark Hudson, Connie (Quarantello) Ragusa, Jim Dragon, Suzanne (Swiercznski) Swindon, Sam Martillotta and Linda (Bailey) Chrzan.

This group played on the Albion varsity football team as seniors. They include, from left: Jim Theodorakos, Frank Sidari, John Leddon, Richard Cook, Coach Dave Ragusa, Joe Martillotta and Mark Hudson.

The reunion committee includes, from left: Linda (Bailey) Chrzan, Judy Ward, Joe Martillotta, Cindy Roberts, Jim Dragon, Kim (Eddy) Remley, Darlene Benton and Ross Thompson.

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District will bring in technology specialist to consider some options

ALBION – The school district will bring in a technology specialist to help pinpoint projects that would be funded through the $2.2 million approved for Albion five years ago through the Smart Schools Bond Act, a $2 billion fund approved for school districts state-wide.

Other districts in Orleans County have used Smart Schools funding for laptops for students, server upgrades, high-definition security cameras, expanded wireless internet access and other improvements.

Albion already had an upgraded computer system, well beyond the expectations for a school district when the Smarts Schools funding was approved, said Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent.

The district has expanded wireless access on campus, and in July purchased 540 new Chromebook laptops for students. The district spent $119,700 for the Chromebooks, which also includes 18 charging carts.

Instead of using the Smart Schools funding, Albion used its own district dollars.

Bonnewell said the Smarts Schools funds often comes with a year delay from when districts apply to draw down on their allocation. If a new version of technology comes out or a updated laptop, districts then have to modify their technology plan submitted to the state to access the funds.

The district in 2017 formed a technology committee with teachers and administrators to try to prioritize how to spend the Smart School money. That group hasn’t reached a conclusion because Albion already meets many state objectives with the funds.

Other criteria for the money aren’t applicable at Albion, such as replacing a temporary classroom with a permanent one. Albion replaced temporary classrooms in the elementary school with a capital project more than a decade ago.

The state also allows Smarts Schools funding to boost community connectivity, and some schools have done that to add high-speed internet at a local library. In Albion, Hoag Library already has high-speed internet.

The district has brought in Archi-Technology Services which works with many school districts at utilizing technology. Bonnewell said Archi-Technology will meet with school officials and technology committee to consider some options for the funding.

Linda Weller, a Board of Education member, urged the district to identify projects with the funds.

“This district is techno-phobic,” she said at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.

“The district is not techno-phobic,” Bonnewell responded.

Elissa Nesbitt, another board member, wants to see Albion utilize the Smarts Schools funding.

“This is a really big opportunity,” she said. “We need to think big. This could be a systemic change.”

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ALBION – The Board of Education has mixed views on the school district having an official Facebook page to share news and information about the district.

Board members Elissa Nesbitt and Linda Weller said many other nearby school districts have Facebook pages that are popular in their communities.

“It’s the currency of today,” Nesbitt said at Monday’s Board of Education meeting. “A lot of parents are on Facebook.”

Weller said the district could post info on open houses, and other events.

“I’m all for it,” she said. “Let the community be more informed.”

Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent, has reservations about Facebook, mainly due to the comments that can be posted. He worries teachers and students could be harshly criticized, and the post might stay up for a while before a district employee sees it. By then it could have been shared and seen many times on the district’s official Facebook page.

“Social media is a world of faceless and sometimes lawless individuals who are sometimes not intent on doing the right thing,” Bonnewell said.

Board member David Sidari said the district has a revamped website that is loaded with information and a calendar of events.

However, Nesbitt said she doesn’t think the website gets much traffic. She said Facebook would be more popular for sharing information.

“I think that’s how people communicate now,” she said. “We can use it to our advantage if we do it right.”

Many of the Albion school programs and sports programs already have their own Facebook pages. Bonnewell said that is different from an official Facebook page for the district. He said the board needs to consider who would be in charge of posting on the page, how frequently, and who would monitor the comments. If a comment is removed the district should have a policy in place for that.

Board member Margy Brown said she has checked other districts’ Facebook pages and they often aren’t updated frequently.

“Someone needs to keep it up to date or else it’s useless,” she said.

If Albion went that route the district should consider hiring a media specialist to run the page. Otherwise it will pull away from the work of current school employees, Brown said.

She said the district has stepped up its efforts to communicate with the public with the improved website and with text alerts.

The board formed a committee with Nesbitt, Weller and Brown to look at the district having an official social media presence. The committee will reach out to other districts to see their policies and how they handle posting, and comments.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – This 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner Superbird is owned by George Rockman of Holley. It was one of 104 vehicles at a car show Saturday at Bullard Park to benefit Hospice of Orleans.

The turnout was the most since Becky Karls starting organizing the event in 2013. Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes is the main sponsor for the car show.

Karls said she expected the event will net $3,500 for Hospice.

Ed Doran of Medina is pictured with a 1968 Chevy Pickup that he has painted and decorated as a tribute to the 343 firefighters who were killed during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Doran used to be a firefighter for Medina, Shelby and East Shelby. Mark Weld, an Middleport artist, did the artwork on the truck.

Ed Doran holds a flag made of empty bullet shells. His truck won the award at the car show for “Best Looking Under the Hood.” There were 22 awards given out at the car show with the participants picking the winners.

The Masonic Lodge cooked hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, French fries and sold beverages. The organization donated the proceeds, $757, to Hospice. This group includes, from left: Glen Busch of the Masons, Josh Mitchell of Christopher Mitchell, Mike Gillette of the Masons, Becky Karls, and Tim McGee of the Masons.

This 1934 hearse owned by Scott Schmidt won the award for best vehicle from the 1920s to 1940s.

Josh Mitchell announces the winners at the car show.

There were two new memorial awards at the car show. Sherri Carter, right, presented the Clayton Carter Memorial in honor of her father to John Magnum, owner of a 1923 Model T.

Louise Mana presented an award in memory of her husband, Mario Mana, to Sam Sanfilippo, owner of a 1931 Hudson Essex.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club today named Becky Karls, center, as a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest honor given by a Rotary Club.

Karls is joined by Rotarians Cindy Perry, left, and Don Bishop, right.

Bishop called Karls “the secret ingredient of the Albion Rotary Club.” She is instrumental each year in many of the club’s fundraisers, including the St. Patrick’s Ham Dinner, the Turtle Race at the Strawberry Festival, the golf tournament and the fishing derby.

Karls also is active with many other community efforts, including organizing a car show this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Bullard Park in Albion. That car show is a fundraiser for Hospice of Orleans County.

The Rotary Club also recognized Fred Nesbitt, a retired fruit grower, for reaching the second level as a Paul Harris Fellow.

The Rotary Club today was visited by Anna Kangasluoma of Finland. She was a Rotary exchange student at Albion in the 2007-08 school year. She now works as a nurse. She is pictured with Bruce Landis, a member of the Albion Rotary Club.

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Press Release, Orleans County Health Department

ALBION – The Orleans County Health Department is seeking help in finding the owner of a dog that bit a pedestrian in the Village of Albion on Thursday, Aug. 29, at approximately 7:15 p.m.

A pedestrian was bitten by a small yellow/white dog with big ears being walked by four children. The dog was on a leash and is described as beagle/cocker spaniel size. The children and dog were walking eastbound along the Erie Canal just east of the Ingersoll Bridge when the dog bit the westbound pedestrian.

“The purpose in locating the owner of the dog is to make sure the dog is up-to-date in its anti-rabies vaccine,” said Sarah Balduf, Environmental Director of Genesee and Orleans Counties. “If the owner cannot be located, the individual will have to go through unnecessary treatment.”

Anyone with information on the dog and/or dog owner is asked to contact the Orleans County Health Department at 585-589-3278.

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Albion man created Santa Claus School and Christmas Park

This photo shows Charles W. Howard with a Santa at Christmas Park in Albion. Howard operated the Park and a school for Santa Claus in Albion until his death on May 1, 1966.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature wants to dedicate Route 31 in the Town of Albion in memory of Charles W. Howard, an Albion native who ran a Santa School from 1937 until his death in 1966.

The Legislature on Wednesday passed a formal resolution in support of naming a section of the road in honor of Howard. The matter requires the support of the State Legislature and the signature of the governor.

“Mr. Howard brought national acclaim to himself and his home town by establishing the world’s first Santa Claus School,” according to the County Legislature’s resolution.

Howard also established Christmas Park in Albion on Phipps Road near Route 31. He portrayed Santa in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City for 18 years.

He developed the Santa School after noticing many Santas didn’t have training, and didn’t always interact with children well or meet a standard for dress. He established decorum for Santas and his Santa Claus suits became popular.

Howard remains a revered figure among the Santa portrayers world-wide. They have an annual conference, which twice in the past decade has been in Albion.

The Santa school is now in Midland, Mich., and it continues in Howard’s name.

The Legislature was going to vote on the resolution for Howard last month but tabled the vote until it had a response from Howard’s family, on whether they approved of honoring Howard with the signage and dedication.

Jane Holland, Charles Howard’s granddaughter, sent an email on July 31 to Joe Gehl, one of the directors of the Albion Betterment Committee. The Betterment Committee has stepped up efforts to recognize Howard’s role in the community. The Betterment Committee has put up a gateway sign on Route 98, declaring Albion as Howard’s hometown. The group also has “BELIEVE” signs in the community and is working on a memorial bronze statue of Howard in downtown Albion.

Holland said the family endorses having Route 31 be dedicated for Howard, who was a farmer and active in the community as a volunteer, in addition to running Christmas Park and training Santas at the school.

“Grampa was a humble man of little means but a big heart and a giving, caring soul,” she said in her email. “To see him honored on his beloved trail to and from the town – the family still today cherishes and welcomes its comfort when we visit – would be a great privilege.”

She thanked the Betterment Committee and other community for their interest in preserving Albion’s heritage.

Albion students in 2015 unveiled an interpretive panel about Charles Howard near his grave at Mount Albion Cemetery. The panel shares lots of information about Howard, who was also a farmer and a toymaker with a flair for the dramatic. He was part of community efforts to build a model of Niagara Falls with 10,000 gallons of sweet cider in 1928. He also helped make a 12-foot-wide apple pie in 1929 and a create a 14-foot-high cake that weighed 3.5 tons.

The full resolution from the Legislature states:

“SUPPORTING DEDICATION OF A PORTION OF NYS ROUTE 31 WHICH PASSES THROUGH THE TOWN OF ALBION IN MEMORY OF CHARLES W. HOWARD

WHEREAS, Mr. Charles W. Howard was a resident of the Town of Albion for his entire life; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Howard was proud of his home town, county and country; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Howard brought national acclaim to himself and his home town by establishing the world’s first Santa Claus School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Howard portrayed Santa Claus in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for 18 years;

WHEREAS, Mr. Howard passed away in 1966 without receiving from his local neighbors the proper recognition he deserved; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Albion and the Village of Albion have both adopted similar resolutions in support of this request; and

WHEREAS, Jane Holland (granddaughter of Charles W. Howard) on behalf of the Howard family, has sent an e-mail message approving of and thanking us for so honoring Mr. Howard in this fashion; and

WHEREAS, the ALBION BETTERMENT COMMITTEE (a not-for-profit charitable organization which was formed in 2003 with the intent to promote the area’s natural assets and to set the area apart from every other community in the country) is asking support to dedicate a portion of the NYS Route 31 in Memory of Charles W. Howard; now be it

RESOLVED, that the Orleans County Legislature supports the Albion Betterment Committee in their request to the State of New York to have a portion of State Route 31 – when entering the Town of Albion (Northwest corner of Transit Road from the east to Southeast corner of Wood Road from the west) to be dedicated in Charles W. Howard’s name, subject to permission from the Howard Family; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Legislature supports signage to be placed along that portion of Route 31 to read:

THIS SECTION OF NEW YORK STATE ROUTE 31 (PASSING THROUGH THE TOWN OF ALBION) IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF CHARLES W. HOWARD, A LOCAL FARMER WHO FOUNDED THE WORLD’S FIRST SANTA CLAUS SCHOOL.”

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